Meet the WAF Associate Producers

WAF welcomes its first ever cohort of Associate Producers who are bringing new artists and audiences into the borough, supporting emerging talent, and building relationships with Wandsworth communities and venues. Each of our new Associate Producers brings with them a network of exciting artists new to WAF, and a fresh fringe programme of performances across theatre, comedy and cabaret.

Rosie Wilby is a comedian, author, broadcaster, and arts producer who has been hosting and curating comedy and cabaret events around London and beyond ever since she appeared in the finals of the Funny Women competition in 2006. She has subsequently appeared on BBC Radio 4 programmes including Saturday Live, Woman’s Hour and Four Thought, TV programmes including Good Morning Britain and Sunday Morning Live and podcasts including The Guilty Feminist. Her own podcast The Breakup Monologues is a multiple award nominee and the inspiration behind a companion book, published globally by Bloomsbury. Rosie also hosted an award-winning LGBTQ magazine show on South London’s celebrated anarchic radio station Resonance FM for a decade and particularly loves to champion marginalised voices.

Rosie’s programme for WAF 2024 will reflects her passion for inclusion and places a particular focus on the LGBTQ community. Several of the artists she has selected have appeared at her previous events or guested on her radio shows and podcasts. Catch them at The Bedford and The Exhibit in Balham, from 13 – 16 June.

Rosie says “It’s fantastic to be involved with WAF in a slightly new type of role. I hosted sellout performances of my Femmes by the Thames cabaret on Battersea Barge for several years then subsequently piloted my solo show Nineties Woman at The Exhibit and an early live version of The Breakup Monologues at The Bedford. Both events went on to have full national tours with support from Arts Council England. Their early-stage development as part of WAF was an integral part of a much larger project in both cases.”

Martin Willis founded comedy production company Objectively Funny in 2017. Since then, the organisation has run three 42-show comedy festivals and produced 20 full Edinburgh Fringe runs, as well as programming a central London comedy club. Objectively Funny have hosted acts such as Nish Kumar, Rosie Jones, Tim Key, Phil Wang, Kerry Godliman and Bridget Christie. The Guardian have dubbed the programming as “the art form’s cutting edge”. In the summer of 2022 Martin was awarded a Comedians’ Choice Award by his peers for the mental health work Objectively Funny did at the Fringe that summer and his wider support of the industry. These days he works part-time on the programming team at Theatre Royal Stratford East and co-runs Hilarity Academy, a Children in Need-funded collective that teaches comedy to children in East London.

For WAF2024, Objectively Funny are programming a variety of comedy work-in-progress shows for acts that are either going out on national tours or building towards a run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Typically diverse in both demographics and comedic style, the acts include those with some major TV credits to their name (Live at the Apollo, Taskmaster), as well as some up-and-coming performers that are set to take the comedy industry by storm. There will be eight shows in total: two double-headers at The Half Moon in Putney, featuring Ania Magliano & Harriet Kemsley and Sophie Duker & Celya AB; and a four-show all-dayer at The Exhibit in Balham featuring Kiran Saggu, Alex Franklin, Rosalie Minnitt and Lorna Rose Treen.

Martin says: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to present a variety of work as part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe this year. It’s been really exciting to put together a bunch of shows that reflect the diversity of talent in the industry at the moment, with an array of comedic styles in there too. I can’t wait to show off the new pieces these artists are putting together and share them with the people of South-West London.”

DODOMU is a new partnership between Tom Sergeant & Nataliya Kharina. Producer Tom Sergeant has been involved in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for almost 10 years, clocking up over 20 productions. Artistic Director Nataliya Kharina is a community theatre practitioner and co-founder of Unique Community Charity, which delivers projects with over 5,000 young people, vulnerable adults, and refugee communities each year.

Taking over The Arches at St Mary’s Church, an intimate pop-up theatre space hidden under Putney Bridge, DODOMU’s programming will have accessibility, community, and technology at its heart. For WAF 2024, Tom and Nataliya’s line-up of shows and workshops centre LGBTQ+, women's and other marginalised communities’ voices. DODOMU says: “This is our first time producing as DODOMU and we are thrilled to be doing it as part of this brilliant festival!”

Councillor Kemi Akinola, Wandsworth Council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for the voluntary sector, business engagement and culture says: “Wandsworth has submitted our bid to become London Borough of Culture 2025 and our ongoing commitment to supporting creative professional development, opening up new opportunities for artists, audience and participants, and activating neighbourhood spaces across the borough is part of our long-term mission to positively transform lives through the power of culture. The WAF Associate Producer scheme offers an opportunity for Wandsworth Arts Fringe to host artists and creatives with a national reach, as well as to platform more marginalised voices, as we work to continually improve the accessibility and openness of our flagship arts festival.”

Wandsworth Arts Fringe 2024 will take place from 7 - 23 June 2024. Locals and visitors alike are invited to leap into the undiscovered, with over 100 events happening across more than 40 venues ranging from parks, streets, churches, estates, libraries, pubs, and dedicated performance spaces all across the borough.

Full details for Wandsworth Arts Fringe performances, workshops and events will be announced on Wed 24 April 2024.

 

Associate Producer Programme

Rosie Wilby

Thursday 13^th June

Perverse Verse, The Exhibit

Psychotherapist and comedian Liz Bentley presents an eclectic night of spoken word with featured guests including Karen McLeod, reading from her new memoir ‘Lifting Off’ (about her twelve years spent as British Airways cabin crew) and then returning later as her alter ego Barbara Brownskirt, South London’s beloved (and somewhat delusional) lesbian poet.  

Saturday 15^th June

Kate Martin, The Bedford

Comedian Kate Martin rampages through tales of mistaken identity, growing up with a rare disease and bravely embracing being the only northerner in her family in her work-in-progress new show The Lezurrection. She’s been described as ‘brilliantly funny and energetic’ by Mock the Week regular Angela Barnes.

Boyz Nite, The Bedford

Comedian and podcaster Cerys Bradley presents an hour of cabaret celebrating trans men, trans masc and butch non-binary performers. Their solo shows have included The Invention of Lesbianism and Sportsperson (recipient of the inaugural Neurodiverse Review Actually Autistic Excellence award).

Sunday 16^th June

Vix Leyton, The Bedford

Welsh comedian Vix Leyton delves into the human psyche, and the notion of being a people pleaser, in her solo show Antihero. She’s been described as ‘joyously full of funny’ by The Scotsman, ‘affable and ebullient’ by Chortle and ‘charming and surprisingly dark’ by fellow comic Andrew O’Neill.

Kate Cheka, The Exhibit

Funny Women Award winner 2023 and BBC New Comedy Award regional finalist 2022 Kate Cheka unpacks a tendency towards saviourism in her debut work-in-progress hour A Messiah Comes. For anyone who’s anxious about the state of the world and wondering what to do about it. 

Ada Campe, The Bedford

Award-winning variety artiste, cabaret star and magician Ada Campe presents her trademark flights of fancy and interactive titting about in a brand-new show Big Duck Energy. Ada, the alter ego of academic Naomi Paxton, has been described as ‘genius’ by Sandi Toksvig and an ‘unhinged supervillain’ by Diva magazine.

Jen Ives, The Exhibit

Comedian Jen Ives, as seen on Channel 4 and Comedy Central, presents her brand-new show Doll – which she describes as ‘all about being a cheeky, little unreliable bitch’. Jen has recently been writing for James Acaster’s new podcast Springleaf. He describes her as ‘a wonderful comedian’.

James Barr, The Exhibit

Comedian and podcaster James Barr presents outrageous punchlines and unapologetic storytelling in a preview of his new show Sorry I Hurt Your Son. He explores a brutal breakup, the chaos that followed and the face-off with Piers Morgan that broke his DMs. ‘A masterclass in queer storytelling’ Metro. ‘A wokey comedian’ Piers Morgan.

 

Martin Willis Objectively Funny

 

Monday 10^th June

Ania Magliano & Harriet Kemsley, The Half Moon

Two of the comedy industry’s biggest hitters collide with work-in-progress shows that’ll blow your socks off. Starring Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show nominee and “glittering new talent” (The i) Ania Magliano and Harriet Kemsley from Live at the Apollo and 8 Out of Cats Does Countdown. What a night! What a time to be alive!

Tuesday 11^th June

Sophie Duker & Celya AB, The Half Moon

Two of the biggest deals in comedy right now bring their brand newest shows and put them right in front of your eyes. Featuring Taskmaster and Mock the Week megastar Sophie Duker and Celya AB from Live at the Apollo and Off Menu. It’s going to be, probably, the single greatest night of your life. Don’t miss it, for god’s sake.

Sunday 23^rd June

The Exhibit

A day of previews from some of the best in the biz. Featuring big names from TV and up-and-comers that’ll be huge in no time. Line-up includes Kiran Saggu, Alex Franklin, Rosalie Minnitt and Lorna Rose Treen.

 

DODOMU

DODOMU Days is a series of daytime talks and workshops.

Sunday 9^th June

Feminism in 2024

What does it mean to be a woman now, how has feminism changed and how do we include all female identifying voices in the conversation.

Tuesday 11^th June

Funny Ladies

Comedy, sports and technology remain male dominated but today we hear from change-makers about how power is shifting.

Saturday 15^th June

Beyond the Binary

In a world where gender is beyond the binary, we listen to how we can support our trans and non-binary friends better.

Tuesday 18^th June

Drag Story Hour

Best loved children's stories read by exceptional drag artists. A Lovely morning for parents and their children to feel the warmth that stories bring.

Thursday 20^th June

Here & Queer

What is it like to exist as an LGBTQ+ person in the world right now? With rights being called into question or not given in the first place, are we better off in the UK?

 

DODOMU Nights is your late-night fix of comedy, drag, music and variety.

Friday 7^th June

Big Fat Comedy Night

Kicking the fringe off with a banging bill of the best comedy from in and around London!

Thursday 13^th June

She/Her Live

A cabaret celebrating all things extraordinary female identifying artists from magic to music mayhem and even a little bit of burlesque squeezed in for your pleasure!

Friday 14^th June

Drag King Night

Queen's get all the limelight, it's the time for the Kings to finally rule the roost! Let's celebrate the exceptional talent of London's Drag Kings and get king-ky!

Thursday 20^th June

Queer Cabaret

Slap bang in the middle of Pride Month, we present our gorgeous (and very famous!) cabaret of LGBTQ+ performers and artists for a night of Queer Joy!

Friday 21^st June

Fem Comedy Night

She's taking back the Mic! Nothing but female comedy, full of funny women and non-stop laughs!

Saturday 22^nd June

Kings vs Queens

A face-off that would make Queen Vicky doubt her Prince Albert! It's Drag Kings VS Drag Queens in the ultimate celebration of Drag Artistes!

DODOMU hosts

Saturday 8^th - Sunday 9^th June

New Stagers presents Scene Unseen

A selection of original short plays written, directed by, and starring members of the award-winning

amateur theatre group, New Stagers — back at Wandsworth Arts Fringe for an eighth year. Past shows have ranged from a love story on a morning commute to a hitman seeking a job change. And this year will see more great new plays brought to life.

Shakesqueer presents Midsummer Night's Rave

Following a successful run in Epping Forest, This new immersive adaptation of William Shakespeare's Midsummer Night Dream set to some of the most iconic dance music of all time, returns. This is a Midsummer Night’s RAVE! Midsummer Night's Rave immerses you in the vibrant world of rave culture in the surroundings of The Arches at Putney.

Tuesday 11^th - Thursday 13^th June

Birthday Fish Theatre presents Birthday Fish

Birthday Fish explores the tumultuous highs and lows of your 20s, particularly after nights out, and the existential crises that follow each time. Elements of horror, comedy and film-like narrative are at play, with a cartoonish aesthetic.

Tuesday 11^th June

Torn to Ribbons presents Dylan Dodds: Groundodds Day

Do you ever get Deja-vu? Dylan’s last show ended with him deciding to have children. Then a joke about a

sex toy. Since then, he’s been stuck in a time loop. Yes, exactly like that film. No, Bill Murray isn’t in this…

A stand-up show about the dangers of obsession. Silly, gag-filled, and slightly theatrical, it begs the question: How do you build a family and move forward when suddenly everything stands still. Do you ever get Deja-vu?

Saturday 15^th – Sunday 16^th June

Elena Mazzon presents The Popess: Instructions for Freedom

An interactive, dark-comedy solo-show set in 13th century Milan. Guglielma - the female incarnation of the

Holy Spirit - and Maifreda - her Popess - and their followers challenge the world order by announcing a new

era led by women. Amongst the very many heretical beliefs of that time, this was an unprecedented attempt to bring women centre-stage, in a social context where the feminine had been altogether ostracised, demonised and persecuted. What could possibly go wrong?

Car Crash Productions presents DIVA

DIVA. Four letters that celebrate the creativity and power that makes an icon. What does it take to be a Diva? An all-female group rehearses for a once-in-a-lifetime performance set to a soundtrack for the

most classic DIVA anthems of all time. But when an unexpected Diva tries to join them, they start to question everything. Featuring your favourite tunes from the likes of Diana Ross, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Freddie Mercury, and Elton John.

Saturday 15^th June

GOWD presents C.B.D Night

Get ready for a night of laughter and glamour! Join us for our CBD (comedy, drag, and burlesque) night where fabulous queens and dazzling performers will leave you in stitches and awe.

Tuesday 18^th - Wednesday 19^th June

Fab & Flo presents Unexpected, Unexplained and Totally Glitchy

Have you ever felt completely betrayed by your brain? Ever felt like you're not in control? What would you do? Scream? Shut down? Or let your brain take over? When Lucy's life is overturned by The Malfunction, she is thrown into the unknown. Interrupted by unexplained sensations, involuntary movements and sporadically breaking into song, Lucy tries to make sense of it all. This dark comedy is based on the lived experience of one person's diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and their journey to remission.=

Narin Oz presents The Wild Woman

Alice from Check Out 5 wakes up inside her own brain wearing a scary wedding dress on a quest to rediscover freedom along with her two sidekicks: Her severed finger and Dr. Fecal Matter. Written and performed by eccentric wally Narin Özenci aka Narin Oz. As seen on BBC 1’s Man Like Mobeen & Channel 4’s Girls Go Trolling.

Thursday 20^th June

Car Crash Productions presents Double Bill: Places We Won't Walk / Silver Spoons

This double bill of new writing explores how you treat yourself and what that means for others around you. In Places We Won’t Walk an adult meets their younger self and conversation ensues about life expectations and the realities of growing up. Silver Spoons is an exploration of womanhood. She’s just cooked dinner and she’s waiting and wallowing and waiting and wondering and polishing.

Friday 21^st – Sunday 23^rd June

Unique Community presents Still Here

Ukraine, Afghanistan - remember? Yes, they’re still here. Two years on and so much has changed for us.

Wars rage on, political instability continues to seep through every part of our lives and calls from family back home serve to remind us that the past is a distant land. But it’s not too late to understand so come along and let us show you what it feels like.

Saturday 22^nd - Sunday 23^rd June

Bampot & Dafty presents Treasure Island: A Musical Advench-Arrr!

Welcome to Treasure Island! Talking Parrots, wild storms and … pirates! But goodies lie on its shores?

Meet Jim Hawkins - he might be able to give us their answer! When he finds a treasure map to a mysterious island, he thinks he’s struck lucky! But Long John Silver and his pirate crew have other ideas…

Featuring a swashbuckling new soundtrack fit for all the little pirates of Putney. From sea shanties to sing along audience favourites. Will our hero Jim and his friends find the treasure?

Saturday 22^nd – Sunday 23^rd June

Unique Community presents Sports!

In a society that keeps moving the goalposts on who deserves to be here most, the task of figuring out personal identity has become akin to an Olympic sport. Unique Community’s Young Company of actors understands this experience better than most.

 

DODOMU productions

Friday 14^th June

DODOMU presents Mother Tongue

You're not my real mother

is what I would have said

If I hadn’t lost my voice.

Drawing on personal experience to build a fictional world, Mother Tongue explores how much of our identity is ruled by heritage and how much of it is a personal choice.

Sunday 16^th June

DODOMU presents Black to Black

A split bill of two up and coming comedians Ibs Sesay & Wes Dafoe. Wes is the winner of the 2024 Max Turner Prize and came third in the Ignite 2023 competition with Comedy Virgins. Originally from Essex, he now runs the Comedy Rattle night. Ibs is a three-time Max Turner Prize finalist and one-time runner up. He was also winner of Black Out and a semi-finalist for the Stand-Up New Act of the Year. His split-bill show Organised Chaos got **** at Edinburgh Fringe 2023.